Digital camera and external device for image storage and camera control

Abstract

This patent discloses a digital camera and an external device for both storing digital images from the camera and controlling certain camera functions. The external device may be either directly attached to the camera or remotely attached by way of a cable or similar device. The external device may also include a means for recording images onto removable recording media. The external device may also include a button for sending instructions to the camera to allow for switching between image resolution modes, flash lighting modes, and autofocusing modes.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An external storage device connectable to a digital camera by a cable, said digital camera including a first memory for storing image data, a second memory for storing image data converted from the image data in said first memory by a predetermined resolution and a third memory including a program for controlling said image-data-conversion by said predetermined resolution, comprising: 
       a hand-held size housing that can accommodate a recording medium;  
       a single copy button provided on said housing;  
       an LCD provided on said housing; and  
       a control section,  
       wherein,  
       when said copy button is pushed once, said control section sends a first request to said digital camera for information about whether image data exists within said second memory,  
       when said digital camera sends back the information indicating that there is image data within said second memory in response to said first request to said control section, said control section sends a second request to said digital camera requesting transmission of the image data within said second memory to said recording medium, when said digital camera sends back the information indicating that there is no image data within said second memory in response to said first request, said control section sends a third request to said digital camera requesting information about said predetermined resolution set in said third memory,  
       when said digital camera sends back the information regarding the predetermined resolution set in said third memory to said control section, said LCD displays the information regarding the predetermined resolution,  
       when said copy button is pushed within the period that said LCD displays the information regarding the predetermined resolution, said control section sends a fourth request to said digital camera requesting the resolution set in said third memory be changed,  
       thereby copy and resolution change actions are achieved by using said single copy button, and said external device is in a hand-held size.  
     
     
       2. An external device according to  claim 1 , in which all of the buttons on said housing consist of: 
       said copy button;  
       a power button operable to supply power to said control section; and  
       an erase button operable to erase said recording medium.  
     
     
       3. A system comprising said external device and said digital camera as defined in  claim 1 .